Visualization is a motivational technique that can help you achieve numerous personal goals. If you really want to achieve something, set your imagination in motion: visualize in front of you the success you want to achieve, the race you have to face or the degree you so long for. The only limit is your mind. Visualization also allows you to imagine an outcome or scenario that you cannot currently see clearly.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: View Your Goals
Step 1. View the activity, event or result you want
Close your eyes and imagine the goal you intend to achieve. Let's say you want to see when you will receive a promotion. Imagine a gorgeous new office with your name written in gold letters on the door. Imagine the black swivel chair behind the large mahogany desk. Imagine seeing a reproduction of Renoir hanging between your certificates.
After you've outlined the big picture, get into the details. Notice some dust in the corners, some coffee residue at the bottom of the cup, the way the light penetrates through the windows and spreads around the room
Step 2. Be optimistic by thinking positively
Nothing will improve in your life as long as you feel poor and unfortunate. So instead of thinking "I'm a rock in basketball. I can never improve", try "I'm not good yet, but I will improve in 6 months". Then imagine taking a few 3-point shots or a dunk during a match.
- Visualization is similar to hypnosis: if you don't believe it will work, it will be useless. Thinking positively is the first step to make this practice effective. It is the first step in making your wishes come true.
- Remember that life follows the path you have established to achieve the goals you have set for yourself, but it also coincides with the destination you have in mind. Visualization can make this journey more enjoyable and enriching by keeping you focused and motivated.
Step 3. Transport the visualization object into the real world
After spending a period (or a few days) imagining your goals, make some changes in your life to achieve them. A moment before starting to work in order to obtain a result in relation to the destination to be reached, focus clearly on the image of the action you are about to take. While this is an abstract thought, such as "increasing your earnings", bring it to mind before you go to work or before taking any opportunity.
For example, if you are trying to hit a baseball, imagine hitting it sharply, stroke by stroke, at the right height and at the right speed. Watch her hit her with the club, whirl through the air, and land exactly where she should land. Visualize this scene with all your senses: feel the ball approaching, listen and observe the impact, smell the smell of the pitch
Step 4. Reflect on the events required to achieve your goal
Big changes take time and focus and consist of a series of small steps. If you want to visualize the achievement of a particular goal or the end of a project, imagine how to get there. For example, if you want to become mayor, imagine every aspect of your advancement in politics: running the election campaign, attending a fundraiser, meeting party leaders, and giving your first speech.
How do you see yourself dealing with these situations?
Step 5. Imagine the personality traits you need to achieve your goals
It is not enough for you to want to become the vice president of the company you work for: you will have to think about the qualities necessary to achieve this goal. Don't just visualize your vice presidency, but also include some characteristics, such as the ability to communicate, convince, smile, share, listen, discuss, handle criticism with competence and respect, and so on.
Project the behavior you have imagined onto yourself. If you believe a vice president should have confidence in their business skills, imagine acting this way
Step 6. Try to motivate yourself by using encouraging phrases
It's great to imagine, but words are also very effective. If you see yourself healthy and fit sitting in the chair in the sales manager's office, repeat to yourself: "I have the body I've always dreamed of. I feel in perfect shape." If you want to improve in baseball, think, "I see the ball. I'm going to hit it with such force that I hit a home run."
You can repeat these types of sentences as often as you need. Just make sure you believe your words
Step 7. Imagine that you are calm, focused and comfortable
Visualization only works when you are calm and comfortable and when you find time to focus instead of being overwhelmed by worries. It is a similar technique to meditation, only more dynamic and vivid. When visualizing, you are encouraged to think about your possibilities but, as with meditation, you need to banish any thoughts extraneous to your desires and goals, so that you remain perfectly focused.
If you can, make yourself comfortable. By reducing distractions, you will have less trouble getting yourself in the right mood. In a quiet environment, it is easier to think relaxed
Step 8. Imagine overcoming obstacles
Impediments are part of life. No one achieves success without first encountering some defeat. Know that you will make mistakes, but remember that you can get through these moments. How you get up is more important than any mistakes.
- Ask yourself every day: "What can I do today to improve tomorrow?".
- A great resource for learning to overcome obstacles is Carol S. Dweck's book, Mindset. Changing mindsets to achieve success.
Part 2 of 2: Refine the Technique
Step 1. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the visualization and start seeing results
At first it might seem like a useless, weird and even slightly outlandish exercise, but keep going! In the early stages it is normal to feel uncomfortable at the idea of sinking into a world full of dreams, but it is only temporary. If it doesn't seem a little bizarre to you, you are probably not practicing it correctly.
- This feeling will pass with practice. There is no other recipe than that of time. As with any business, there is a learning curve here too. The road only looks steep if you don't commit yourself. Let yourself go and everything will go smoothly! The only obstacle to successful visualization is you.
- Over time this practice can offer the brain the same stimuli it would receive if it were actually involved in the imagined activity. He may not even be able to tell the difference! For example, if you are afraid of singing in front of a crowd, imagine you can. This will trick your mind into thinking you made it. The next time you have this opportunity, you will be able to stand up and sing in public.
Step 2. Focus on long-term goals
Those who want a sudden change are disappointed. Rather, try to achieve your dreams and hopes gradually. Imagine where you will be in 5, 10 and 15 years and what kind of results you want to achieve. To what extent will the situation have changed and how different will you be? Think about what this stage of your life might be like.
- For example, you can imagine going to bed early or jogging. However, visualization can also help you achieve more important goals: visualize what kind of parent you want to be, what values you want to pass on to your children, and what kind of person you will be when they grow up.
- Visualize what you want to achieve on a human level and what teaching you want to leave to your friends and the community in which you live.
Step 3. Create a vision board so you don't lose sight of the life you want
It will help you keep an eye on your goals. To make it happen, print a series of photos and words that represent what you intend to achieve. This way you can watch them every day to keep you motivated as you follow your path.
For example, if you are planning to open a restaurant, you could include some photos of the places you want to be inspired by and the dishes to cook. You could also include pictures of people having a cheery lunch
Step 4. Think constructively
When you practice visualization or just want to adopt more positive mental patterns you have to constructively drive towards your goals. You won't make much progress if you just "don't want to be poor," so focus on what you want, what you are and what you have instead of thinking about what you don't want, aren't and don't have. For example, consider these statements: "I want to be financially independent" or "I have the strength to move anywhere".
Also think actively using the present. If you imagine losing your smoking habit, don't think, "I'll try to quit." It's useless. Think rather, "Cigarettes are disgusting. I don't want them. I'm completely immune to them."
Step 5. Realistically visualize your goals
If you are a boxer and you want to imagine dominating your opponent in the next fight, it will not help you to compare yourself to Muhammad Ali; you will end up stepping into the ring without living up to your expectations. You will feel frustrated and stressed out.
- Instead, imagine taking the best shots of your life. Visualize the opponent as the sack you punch every day in the gym. Imagine your coach shouting for joy as he witnesses the best performance of your career.
- These things can happen. There is no reason why they shouldn't come true.
Step 6. Be the protagonist of the scenarios you visualize
In this way they will be more real, concrete and actionable. Don't imagine your future successes and goals as if they were part of a movie - everything has to develop from your perspective. You are not a spectator. The displayed scenario is your stage on which to show yourself in all your glory.
- For example, if you are viewing your medical career, do not frame it from the perspective of the patient you are treating or the colleague watching you from across the room. Instead, imagine assisting a patient while holding the stethoscope and examining it.
- This means to visualize in a complete way. It is a reality seen through your eyes, not some kind of out-of-body experience. It is the future.
Advice
- Help others visualize. One of the best things you can give is hope, and visualization helps us hope for a better future. Once you are comfortable with this practice, teach it to others so that you can give the world some hope.
- Visualization takes practice. If you are skeptical you may think it is a waste of time. This is not true because everyone, including skeptics, can benefit from it.
- When you read a book without pictures, choose a few words and imagine them. Gradually you will be able to visualize everything you read.
